In-form striker expresses wish to make 'fantastic' Arsenal transfer as Gunners suffer fresh injury blow

Arsenal will face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday as they bid to topple Liverpool from the top of the Premier League.

However, the recent international break has put the presence of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli at risk while a further blow was given as one star, who was expected to be nearing a return to the starting XI, will now continue to be out with no return date given.

Here is all the latest news from the Gunners’ camp ahead of Saturday’s clash...

Arsenal’s fresh injury blow

Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu is to face a further spell on the sidelines after suffering a setback in his recovery from injury. He will now continue to join Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney, and Gabriel Martinelli in the Emirates’ medical suite.

The defender has already missed 14 of the Gunners’ last 15 games due to fitness issues and it had been hoped he would return to the starting line-up after the recent international break.

However, reports from Football London have said the 25-year-old has suffered a fresh issue in his recovery from a knee concern and is now set to continue his stay on the bench with Arsenal feeling his absence significantly.

Striker on ‘fantastic’ Arsenal opportunity

Former Arsenal striker Mika Biereth has opened up on the possibility of instigating a return to the Emirates, saying a potential move back to N7 would be ‘fantastic’.

Biereth left the Gunners in the summer transfer window after failing to get near the starting line-up. He enjoyed loan spells away at RKS Waalwijk, Motherwell and Sturm Graz before ultimately deciding to move to the latter on a permanent basis. He has scored seven goals in nine Austrian Bundesliga games already this season.

However, the Dane has now spoken out about his wish to one day return to the Premier League, with a particular focus on Arsenal mentioned.

Speaking to TV2, the striker said: “Things are going well in Sturm Graz. I have nothing to complain about right now. I play every week at a good level, and now we also play in the Champions League, where I’m still waiting for my first goal.

“If I keep playing well and scoring goals, hopefully a change can come, but right now I’m focused on Sturm and on doing well and scoring goals. A return to Arsenal would be fantastic, but it’s not something I’m focusing on right now.”